The 2020 NBA Draft finally took place last week after months of delay. One of the biggest stories from Draft Night was LaMelo Ball being drafted by Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets.
This team-up has got the young rookie’s father, LaVar Ball, hyped for the season. During a recent conversation with TMZ Sports, he was asked if LaMelo could win Rookie of the Year. “Guaranteed,” Ball said. “Teaming up with Michael Jordan and you can’t get Rookie of the Year? Are you crazy?”
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LaVar has always been confident about his sons’ abilities. He had the same prediction for his older son Lonzo when he was drafted by the Lakers. But Lonzo ended up receiving zero votes in the award voting, although he managed to win an All-Rookie Second Team place. However, one could argue that LaMelo has a higher ceiling and has a better chance to win it than Lonzo had.
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Can LaMelo Ball help turn the tide at Charlotte?
Since they joined the league in 1989, the Hornets (known as Bobcats at the time of introduction), have never been a successful team. The furthest they have gone in the playoffs is the second round, which has happened just four times.
The last time the Hornets drafted an exciting point guard, they failed him. They never provided Kemba Walker with a capable team and let him walk away in the 2019 Free Agency. Fans will be hoping that Ball ends up being treated better.
Time to 🅱️all out in Buzz City pic.twitter.com/BEn3AXmPWc
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) November 21, 2020
The 19-year-old point guard has the potential to be a capable playmaker as well as a scorer. The Hornets need to provide him the best team possible if they want to move ahead as a franchise. While signing Gordon Hayward to that massive four-year $120 million contract is the complete opposite of that, one can only hope that the future signings aren’t so whimsical.
LaMelo will make his debut for the Hornets on December 12, when they face the Raptors in their first preseason game. The team doesn’t have any leaders, so Ball will have to step up. He will be given the keys to the team, and that should enable him to have a good chance at the Rookie of the Year trophy.
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